In Far Rockaway, Recognition for Bungalows

ENLARGE

A row of bungalows on Beach 24th Street in Far Rockaway, Queens. The district is getting landmark status.
Lauren DeCicca for The Wall Street Journal

By

Kaya Laterman

Jan. 28, 2013 10:56 p.m. ET

A small beach bungalow community in Far Rockaway, Queens, has been given the official nod as a state historic landmark and likely will get a national designation in a few weeks, a victory for residents and preservationists that have waged nearly a 30-year battle for such recognition.

There are about 100 bungalows in the three blocks between Beach 24th and Beach 26th streets and the oceanfront boardwalk and Seagirt Avenue. Although there were thousands of bungalows in the early 1900s, this is the last intact beach bungalow community on the Rockaway peninsula. And it is estimated that fewer than 400 remain.

The New York State Board for Historic Preservation has given the Far Rockaway Beach Bungalow Historic District its official stamp and is currently preparing documentation for the National Park Service, which has 45 days to make its own approval after papers are filed.

ENLARGE

"Frankly, I'm shocked," said Richard George, a longtime resident and unofficial keeper-of-the-flame to preserve the bungalow district. "It's been a bitter battle between those who want access to the beach—and I'm talking about developers here—and the preservationists."

The state and national recognition means homeowners in the district are eligible for various public and preservation programs and services, such as matching state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.

It doesn't, however, stop new and old owners from tearing down the bungalows if they choose to do so since only a designation from the city Landmarks Preservation Commission can do that.

The Beachside Bungalow Preservation Association of Far Rockaway, the community organization that has been fighting for historic landmark status, has yet to file an application to the landmark commission, said Mr. George, 60 years old.

After several unsuccessful lawsuits against oceanfront developers and successful meetings to get the city to change zoning laws, Mr. George said many preservationist organizations, such as the Historic Districts Council and Long Island Traditions, a historic preservation group that filed the state application, joined the Beachside Bungalow Preservation Association of Far Rockaway in its fight about 15 years ago.

ENLARGE

The living room of Richard George's bungalow.
Lauren DeCicca for The Wall Street Journal

One major hurdle for the association was money—money to hire someone like Nancy Solomon, a folklorist and executive director of Long Island Traditions, a preservation organization in Long Island, to conduct official surveys and research to apply to become a historic landmark.

Although the association had raised funds over the years through grants and donations, nobody expected that sending a letter to Bootleg Productions, the production company behind HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" to turn the tide.

"I simply stated we needed money to preserve these bungalows and within a month, we get a check for $10,000!" exclaimed Carmela George, Mr. George's 84-year-old mother, who wrote the letter with a friend in the fall of 2011. "I couldn't believe it. I thought we'd get like, $500."

Mrs. George, a former member of Community Board 4 in Queens for many years, said she decided to contact the production company after its crew shot scenes in the neighborhood in 2009.

"As a period show set in the 1920s, we appreciate the importance of preserving what is left of period architecture and felt that our contribution could have an impact in this regard," Joseph Iberti, a producer at Bootleg Productions, said in an email.

Many of the bungalows were designed by architect Henry Hohauser, perhaps more famous for designing Art Deco hotels in Miami in the 1930s. The homes were used as summer getaways for many working-class Jewish, Irish and Italian families and enjoyed its heyday until about the late 1950s, notes Jennifer Callahan, director and producer of the documentary film "The Bungalows of Rockaway."

The closure of a primary rail bridge to the Rockaways after a fire in 1950 and the migration of families with automobiles to other beaches reduced traffic to Far Rockaway and contributed to the downfall of the bungalow communities.

Some homes experienced flooding after superstorm Sandy, but most of the bungalows fared much better than the houses further down the peninsula in Belle Harbor or Breezy Point.

A number of the bungalows have been bought by more affluent and artsy New Yorkers over the past five years. The bungalows, which often are sold through word-of-mouth, are nearing $200,000, up from the $90,000 or so price tags seen a decade ago, according to Mr. George.

Each bungalow is 1½ stories and has three bedrooms, a small kitchen, a bathroom and a porch. They also have many windows, making the houses seem large and airy. Typically built on a 25x50 foot lot, many of the bungalows are made from wood with gable, hipped or clipped-gable roofs.

"I think its great that the architecture of ordinary people is getting recognition," Ms. Callahan said. "It's a great way to remember that there was a time when working-class people could buy or rent these great bungalows to relax."

Mr. George, a former high-end antique restorer, moved to the community in 1986 after renting a bungalow for several years that he used as an art studio.

His fight on behalf of the bungalows is far from over: he said he would like to see if neighbors want to go for a city landmark status, and find federal waterfront revitalization funds to help the community.

"I have to admit, I thought I would only have to work on officially preserving this community for like six months or a year," laughed Mr. George. "I came out here to paint and I definitely got sidetracked."

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.